"Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt" episode 1 streaming limited time

For North America, the first episode is streaming for free from December 25 12pm Japan time to January 7 12 pm Japan time on YouTube.  The art style reminds me of the old "Aeon Flux" I watched on MTV back in the day.  There is a whole backdrop of jazz music which reminds me of "Cowboy Bebop."  The animation is stellar and looks great in HD.  The language is a bit stilted, but I'm not sure if it's the writing for the English translation.  There is so much action and new character introduction I'm a little lost on the plot so I plan to watch it again.  I wonder what the plan is to stream this series.  Pay per view?  My hope is that it will be on Crunchyroll, but who knows.

"JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 4: Diamond is Unbreakable" anime is coming!

Here is the new PV!  I like the new art style!  Can't wait for April 2016.

RoBoHoN -- the future of robot phones

At first, I was a little creeped out by this, but now I kind of have a desire to get one.

"Attack on Titan: Junior High" is a thing

Super cute, but still waiting for season 2!

New "Young Black Jack" anime

It's a bishie Black Jack!  Starting October 1.  Based on a prequel manga about his med school days.  Hope it's as good as those old OVAs...probably won't be, but it's a bishie Black Jack!  Those eyelashes.

"Ore Monogatari!!" or "My Love Story!!" episode 18

It's Takeo's 16th birthday, and it's New Year's Day too.  Yamato and Takeo spend the day together, visiting a shrine, meeting Takeo's elementary school buddies who drop by every birthday, having cake, and kissing... haha, sort of.  Back to the beginning of the show...
Kurihara admits he kissed Nanako on their first official date to Takeo and Suna. Takeo can't believe how fast they are moving and admits his plan for kissing is to wait for the fall of senior year.  Yamato asks for Suna's advice on what cake to bake for the birthday.  It comes up that Takeo is thinking of that far away autumn before she gets kissed.  She is not thrilled.  A plan is hatched.

They meet up and go to the shrine for  New Year's visit.  They come back to Takeo's place.  Takeo's old elementary school buddies drop by to celebrate his birthday as they do every year.  This just demonstrates how great a guy Takeo is.  I mean whose elementary school friends still come by for the 16th birthday?  Takeo's mom conspicuously announces she and Takeo's dad will be gone for FIVE hours.  I think Mom would be happy to have Yamato as a daughter-in-law.

Yamato breaks out her cake and asks Takeo to close his eyes and make a wish before blowing out the candles.  She plants a kiss on him, but he has no reaction and seems not to have noticed.  She is crestfallen, but doesn't let on what happened.  After she goes home, Takeo visits Suna and tells him how he felt a bug land on his lips while making his wish.  Suna flat out tells him wasn't that a kiss?  Takeo is flabbergasted he messed up so badly, goes to see Yamato and they have a proper kiss and declare how they will protect each other in the future.  Sob.

Another sweet episode as innocent as can be and joyful as can be.  Suna...why no GF????  Ugh.

"Ore Monogatari!!" or "My Love Story!!" episode 17

It's Christmas time!  Time for a karaoke party, naturally, right? Yamato and Takeo plan one out for their friends.  Turns out Yamato's friend Nanako sorta likes Takeo's friend Kurihara and its mutual.  In fact they had a date of sorts, but Nanako still isn't sure of Kurihara's feelings since he never officially confessed.  At the party, Kurihara acts weird and distant to Nanako, while even sneaking in a secret handholding, which just confuses and angers Nanako.  Yamato and Takeo pressures the couple to be together, but it backfires and just makes Nanako uncomfortable with the pressure.  Looks likes Nanako and Kurihara sort of feel a bit inferior to the lovey dovey couple and Kurihara is failing at winning Nanako over with an overt confession.  While being forced to sing a duet (which is the OP song which has some nice lyrics by the way), Nanako leaves the party.  Yamato and then Kurihara chase her.  The two girls are harassed by some thugs, but instead of Kurihara stepping in, he runs to get Takeo, who does scare off the thugs.  Nanako is more mad at this point since Kurihara didn't rush in to save her.   Yamato and Takeo realize they shouldn't have been intrusive in their matchmaking.  But Takeo still intrudes by telling Kurihara to "man up."  Kurihara ends up proclaiming his love by getting a star at the top of a large Christmas tree in the area that is said to guarantee a successful love confession.  He finally confesses and all is well.  In fact, so well that Kurihara and Nanako have already kissed by the next school day, which bums Yamato out...  Another cute episode that manages drama even when it doesn't seem to be possible because the main couple are so darn happy together, by including others' drama!

"Ore Monogatari!!" or "My Love Story!!" episodes 15 and 16

These two episodes introduce a new character, Saijou Mariya.  Takeo is assigned to be the anchor to the class running relay race.  Saijou is called in at the last minute to fill in as the second to last leg of the relay.  However, she is not exactly a gazelle.  Takeo volunteers to coach her running.  Yamato is jealous, but tries to keep it under control.  Saijou falls during the race, but Takeo encourages her and manages to win the race even after her fall.  His coolness wins Saijou over.  But she finds out about Yamato.  She still hangs around him a bit and calls him out alone...to confess her desire to his "disciple."  A confused but honored Takeo says yes.  But others, (AKA Suna) can see through Saijou.  He warns her she is only hurting herself by hanging around as a third wheel.  She eventually confesses, and Takeo turns her down gently.  Saijou cries in the park and Suna consoles her with tissues and words of encouragement.  Wouldn't it be nice if they got together?  Hmm.  Takeo realizes how much she loves Yamato and reassures her that she is the only one for him.  Takeo is troubled that Saijou is hurt, but Saijou is still friendly with Takeo the next day which makes him happy.  What a well-adjusted, healthy ending.  Anyway, I sobbed when she sobbed so it was a moving episode that I empathized with.  Suna is again some sort of love guru.  He needs a love interest, fast.

"Ore Monogatari!!' or "My Love Story!!" episode 14

Takeo, Yamato, Ai, Suna, and Hayato go to MM Land.  Yamato wants to avoid the MM Land jinx that couples who have a date there will break up.  Hayato plans a group trip so she can avoid the jinx since it's a group outing.  But in reality he has his own agenda.  Hayato plots to get Takeo and Ai alone together so that Ai can confess to Takeo that she loves him.  He tries very hard and manages to separate the group so that they go around trying to find each other while he gives false info as to where he is.

Ai and Takeo spend some alone time together and she mentions how he had said something about her looking like a flower when they were kids.  He doesn't remember, but yet picks out the same flower again to compare her to years later.  What a guy.

As they wander around trying to reunite with the others, Ai is tempted to confess.  But as the long awaited sparkly parade is announced to begin shortly, she decides not to and to tell Takeo to find Yamato.  Takeo runs off.  I guess the parade reminded her of how Yamato was so much looking forward to seeing it with Takeo.  She tells Hayato she'll never confess.  I think it's a good choice.  Nothing good can come from inserting herself into the perfect and innocent couple that is Takeo and Yamato.  Ai advises Yamato when she appears to forget about the MM Land jinx, and trust Takeo.  Yamato gives Ai a cake to thank her for her all her advice.  I think that is proof Ai made the right call.  Yamato and Takeo are so innocent!

Hayato decides he just has to win her over on his own power and he probably will in the future!

"Ore Monogatari!!" or "My Love Story!!" episode 13

Takeo and Yamato surprise Suna for his birthday by taking him to the movies and to the mountains.  Apparently, he forgot it was his birthday and had no inkling of why they were inviting him everywhere.   I find it hard to believe anyone can forget their own birthday, but I suppose if anyone could, it would be Suna.  At first, Suna doesn't know how to react to the surprise.  Takeo says he should just be happy and Suna agrees.  It's a touching moment.

The episode then turns toward Suna's sister, who has a crush on Takeo.  A man appears to find out just who this Takeo that Ai loves.

Hayato Oda confessed to Ai, but she let it escape that she loves Takeo.  Hayato chases Ai to her hometown to scope out Takeo and win Ai over.  Takeo mistakes Suna for Takeo in a funny moment.  Ai tries to stop Hayato.

But instead Hayato manages to make a group date out of going to MM Land (like Disneyland?).   In a touching moment, Takeo lets Hayato stay over at his apartment.  His parents are infinitely cool about a sudden guest.  Hayato reveals why he likes Ai so much.  Later, he lets Ai know his plan for the group date is to get Ai alone with Takeo so she can confess, move on, and get with him!

A bit more drama in this episode.  I can see the tears coming for Ai.  But Hayato seems like a good guy.  At least he really seems to love Ai.  What will MM Land look like?

"JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders" ends

It was me, Dio! jk, jk...

RIP Avdol, Iggy, and Kakyoin

Polnareff is the best!

Holly is saved.

The toilet humor, the posing, the improbable battles,  the rero rero, all of it was a great ride.  It's sad to see the end of a great show.  The best part was the camaraderie of the group in my opinion.  Jotaro is the baddest of the bunch, but Joseph is still my favorite.

"Ore Monogatari!!" or "My Love Story!!" episode 12

Another week and another feel good episode.  Yamato invites Takeo and his buds to go ice skating with her and her girlfriends.  Of course Takeo is immediately able to know how to skate and even do tricks his first time on the ice.

While Takeo's buds joke about how good Takeo is at some sports and laughably bad at others, Yamato makes an off hand remark about wishing they were going to the same school and wouldn't it be nice if they went to the same college.  Takeo immediately decides to buckle down and study to aim for the same college as Yamato, Murasakifuji.

He asks Suna to help him get into Murasakifuji.  With Suna as his study buddy, Takeo embarks on studying for a practice benchmark exam for colleges.  Yamato comes over with some sweets and Takeo's mom is told she is Takeo's girlfriend.  Best part of this episode is seeing Takeo's parents react to the news.  To prepare for Yamato coming over to study,  the parents go overboard being nice and looking their best.  Hilarious.

To escape their intrusive behavior, Yamato and Takeo go over to Suna's place to study.  Suna catches Yamato snuggling next to a sleeping and exhausted Takeo in a funny moment.  A touching moment is when Takeo suggests Suna goes to the same college as well.  Suna's expression is nice.  He compliments Takeo, but Takeo doesn't get it.  The test day arrives and Takeo misfills his scantron sheet.   Results come in, and there is an "x" by Murasakifuji.  Despondent, Takeo calls Yamato who says it doesn't matter and she didn't make it either.  Anyway, Murasakifuji is a women's college.

Suna gets his revenge on plastic wrap time from episode 6.

Manga recommendation: "What Did You Eat Yesterday?"

Fumi Yoshinaga is a famous mangaka known for writing "Antique Bakery" and "Ooku."  I've seen the anime for "Antique Bakery" which I enjoyed.  I read I think two volumes of "Ooku" but never got into it.  I have read her BL which is always very sensitive and mature about how people relate to each other.  "What Did You Eat Yesterday?" is about a gay couple, Shiro and Kenji, but it's not a BL series.  It's more about their mature, adult, normal, everyday relationship and... cooking.  Each volume has several long scenes involving Shiro cooking detailed recipes about mostly Japanese cooking and the occasional western dish.  In truth, I don't know anything about traditional Japanese dishes, and the descriptions of the various ingredients just goes over my head.  But, each time, Shiro and Kenji throughly enjoy their meals and that is entertaining.  Their relationship and their interactions with their friends and co-workers actually is the most gratifying part of the manga series for me. Shiro is a successful lawyer who loves to cook and keeps the household budget in mind.  Kenji is a more laid back  hairstylist  who throughly enjoys Shiro's food.  Over time, we get to see the intricacies of their relationship and the latest one, volume 8, is the one I've enjoyed the most.  I laughed out loud a few times and teared up a little bit too.

Summer 2015 Anime Picks

I perused anichart.net and was not too pleased with the upcoming roster of shows.  According to the art style, and whatever hunches I felt, I picked some shows that I am looking forward to watching.

"Akagami no Shirayuki-hime" looks like a "Yona of the Dawn" clone complete with redheaded heroine in historical fantasy setting.  It's based on a shojo manga and includes some action and romance, so count me in as curious.

"GANGSTA" is based on a seinen manga.  The art looks fabulous with men that look like men instead of willowy wisps.  Hoping its a mature show for adults, but I won't hold my breath.

"Junjo Romantica 3"  What can I say?  I have enjoyed 1 and 2 and look forward to more BL romance.

"Ranpo Kitan: Game of Laplace" is based on Edogawa Ranpo's works.  I don't know much about the author except he is a famous Japanese mystery writer.  I hope this is a good mystery series.  I like the art style.

"Rokka no Yuusha" has a pretty PV and that's all I know about it, but I want to watch it.

"Ore Monogatari!!" or "My Love Story!!" episode 11

It's the beach episode!  No conflict here again, besides Yamato feeling embarrassed about her feelings/hots for Takeo.  She goes bikini shopping with her friends and goes for the more mature types to make Takeo go doki-doki.  Her friends restrain her thank goodness.

Takeo also has his bowled over moment seeing Yamato in her bikini, which causes Suna to call Takeo back from the abyss with his whispers of "it's only clothes for swimming..."

After some beach ball and swimming fun, Yamato runs off embarrassed, and Suna has to give Takeo a nudge again to correct Takeo's off trajectory towards couple happiness in front of a beach sunset.  The timing and mood are perfect...

But they are interrupted by Takeo's buds and the kiss never materialized.  However, both are happy on the way home and we they are already planning the fireworks festival trip complete with yukatas.  Sweet episode.  Still needs more Suna.

"Ore Monogatari!!" or "My Love Story!!" episode 10

Another cute episode, but without conflict.  Takeo and Yamato take a picnic in the woods and end up falling over a cliff!

Of course, Takeo manages to land without injury on this back while protecting Yamato and their precious bento lunches.  Takeo takes charge, feeling very protective of his GF, and takes responsibility for finding a way out of the forest.  Yamato, however, is more concerned over spending the night alone with Takeo.  Actually, she is more secretly thrilled/nervous about "spending the night" together.  

Takeo is a personal mosquito net.

Takeo wards of mosquitoes and also a rampaging wild boar and manages to find civilization again.   The funniest parts of the show are the reactions of Yamato's friends, Takeo's parents, and Suna to their unexplained overnight absence (no cell signal of course).  Yamato's friends lie to Yamato's parents to uphold the girlfriend code of covering for boyfriend time, and wait with bated breath to find out the juicy details.  Takeo's parents do not bat an eyelid to his disappearance, and trust he'll be home soon safely, which proves how trusted and reliable Takeo is in the eyes of his parents.  We also get to see an older version of Takeo with an appearance by his dad.

Yamato's friends are at first salaciously entertained but then realize Yamato was actually just lost in the forest overnight.

Suna is oblivious to the whole thing, reading a series of books in his room the whole time. But Takeo must make contact with Suna and ask how to convey his loving feelings with emoji over the cell phone to Yamato.   Suna says there aren't any for the unique feelings of Takeo.  Overall, a cotton candy episode, sweet but with no substance, but still fun to experience.

"Ore Monogatari!!" or "My Love Story!!" episode 9

The episode starts out with Takeo meeting Suna outside on the morning of Suna's dad's surgery/ Yamato's birthday.   They fist bump as Suna wishes Takeo a good time with Yamato.  

Takeo meets Yamato and they have a jolly old time bowling, and eating and hanging out.

Every other sentence Takeo says seems to being with "Suna said this" or "Suna did this" which would actually annoy me if I were Yamato, but Yamato, being the "pure" girl she is only just agrees with Takeo without any resentment, as a sick person like me would have.  Eventually, Yamato asks what Suna is doing today, and Takeo can't hold back anymore.  He has to leave their date to support him at the hospital.  Yamato is a dear and doesn't blink an eye and tells Takeo he has to go.  Takeo literally runs to the hospital to find Suna waiting alone outside the operating room.  Suna, finally breaks down in front of Takeo, confessing he felt guilty for finding his father collapsed after shopping.  If only he hadn't gone shopping and went straight home, maybe his dad would be okay.  Takeo sets him straight that he shouldn't feel guilty.  I admit I teared up when Suna started to cry too.  Finally, a bit of weakness from Suna.

The surgery is a success, and there is a funny bit where the surgeon is shaken so hard that he throws up, not just once but twice, by Takeo, then Suna's mom and sister who finally show up.  Walking out of the hospital, they see Yamato in the lobby folding paper cranes.  What a nice gal.  She presents them to Suna.  Suna comments on how nice it is to see the pair together, and they immediately think up how to hook Suna up with a girlfriend.  Suna is scared...

A more dramatic episode, but still very simple.  That's the charm of the show.  It's simple and earnest and without meta humor or sarcasm.  

"Ore Monogatari!!" or "My Love Story!!" episode 8

Takeo notices that Suna has been acting strangely lately, but Suna won't fess up to anything. Yamato reveals her birthday is coming up quickly and immediately tells Takeo that all she really wants for her birthday is to spend the day with him. Of course, Takeo is thrilled to hear that and starts to plan the day. He enlists Suna for help, and Suna is actually pretty good at planning out stuff like this. He balks a little when he hears the date of her birthday, but doesn't explain why.

Takeo decides to take a part time job to cover the cost of a birthday present and is hired at what appears to be a gay bar/restaurant but is ignorant of that fact.  Wife beater and cut off jeans what?

Takeo's mom casually mentions she is pregnant and Takeo is about to be a big brother...in front of an elevator. It's funny how casual she is and mentions it's no big deal since she has the body of a 22 year old even though she's 40 years old.
Takeo is worried about Suna and tells Yamato. She suggests that maybe he's lonely since Takeo is hanging out so much with Yamato. Suna clears that misunderstanding right away, but still doesn't explain his different behavior.
 Takeo's mom tells Takeo she saw Suna at the hospital which prompts Takeo to run to Suna's place. Turns out Suna has been living alone since his mother and sister are out of the country and his dad is hospitalized and about to have heart surgery. Takeo says he will forego the birthday date, but Suna says that would actually make him feel worse. Later, Takeo assures Suna he will have the best birthday date with Yamato and not to worry about him which Suna says is a relief. What a bro.

This episode had a bit more drama than the last one. Still warm fuzzies all around when watching the show. Suna is almost too good of a guy. I kind of wish Suna showed more weakness. Is lack of weakness a weakness? Hope Suna's father turns out okay and the date with Yamato is big success!

"Ender's Game" the movie

"My Love Story!!" or "Ore Monogatari!!" episode 7

This was an almost drama-free episode so far.  Just Takeo and Yamato oohing and ahhing over each other most of the time.  Takeo is recruited to be a ringer for the high school judo club in a match against the rival school.  Of course, for the month he is training, he will be too busy to hang out with his girlfriend.  But he finds strength in their separation through their constant (and cute) emails as he trains for the match, running around with tire tied to his waist (which seems to be a thing for anime high school sports training) and letting his mom use his abs for a ironing board (not a thing).  

Takeo warns her not to wait for him after school at night, and she takes it the wrong way, thinking he doesn't want her around, but actually it's just for her safety.  Suna, the bro that he is, clears up the misunderstanding.  

Another little bit of drama is that at the match, his rival says that the fact Takeo has a girlfriend makes him a weaker opponent.  But Takeo steadfastly denies this and beats him soundly in the match, earning his rival's respect.  Takeo, Suna, and Yamato go home and somehow see each other in the stars above in a cute scene.

The best parts of the show are when Takeo defends Yamato to his judo rival and when Suna clears up the misunderstanding for Yamato. Suna just needs a girlfriend so they can double date and be two cute couples together.

J-drama: "Antiquarian Bookshop Biblia's Case Files" or Biblia Koshodou no Jiken Techou"

I just finished watching the whole series over 2 to 3 days on Crunchyroll.  I didn't know anything about the series when I first started watching it.  I figured if it was about a book store I'd be down with that.  Turns out it's a Nero Wolfe-like mystery series where the proprietor Shinokawa Shioriko (played by Gouriki Ayame) solves literary-bent mysteries surrounding antique books and their past and current owners.  Goura Daisuke (played by AKIRA from "GTO") is her newly hired assistant and Shida Hajime (Takahashi Katsumi) is her housemate/old book buyer.  She deduces things using her vast knowledge of the history of Japanese publishing and Japanese and world literature.  Each episode revolves around one piece of literature.  It sounds like a snoozefest, but it's actually very entertaining and tugs at heartstrings several times.  My only complaint is the same techno song, that while catchy, is overused in each episode.  But that is a small complaint.  The characters are all extremely likeable and the show is earnest in its premise that books really do connect people together.  Now that I've watched this, I want to find another J-drama to watch.  Still looking... any advice out there?

"My Love Story!!" or "Ore Monogatari!!" episode 6

Turns out what I suspected was true... Yamato doesn't want to be put on a pedestal, she wants to hold hands...and stuff.  Ai confronts Yamato with Suna.  It's hilarious while Yamato starts talking about how sexy Takeo is and Ai is wholeheartedly saying "amen that, sister," Suna is figuratively and literally slowly backing away from the conversation.

We also find out why Ai started to like Takeo.  She was a little cougar in the sixth grade when third grader Takeo innocently complemented her.  

Ai and Suna convince Yamato to talk to Takeo about her feelings.  I don't think any boyfriend would back off if his girlfriend wanted to hold hands, and Takeo is no exception.  His awkward first attempt is funny.

Ai leaves town heartbroken but happy for Takeo.  Suna has his own problems when Takeo turns up in his room...to practice kissing.  Poor Suna.  A LOL moment to end the show.

Oh, and the heroic thing Takeo does this episode is rescue a kitty from a tree.

"My Love Story!!" or "Ore Monogatari!!" episode 5

What could go wrong with the cute couple this episode?  It's still a mystery... but first...  Takeo saves a life, literally, again, this time a little boy who almost drowns.  Suna gets the thank you again, but Suna tries to set the record straight.  It makes no difference though.  

We also met Suna's beautiful older sister, Ai, who unexpectedly, has a crush on her little bro's best friend, Takeo.  She does not take the news that Takeo has a girlfriend very well.

She "accidentally" meets Takeo, Suna, and Yamato at the park (she stalks Suna by GPS) in order to inspect Yamato.  Yamato says how beautiful Ai is, and Takeo says how kind Ai is as we see her wipe Takeo's nose as a child in a flashback.

In a cute scene, we see Yamato offer up her latest cooking creation of cookies.  Turns out she mistook the salt for sugar and they are terrible.  But Takeo doesn't bat an eyelash.  It's all good as long as Yamato made it.  Aw.  As Ai observes Yamato, she notices she is hiding something.  In fact, the main "problem" of the show is that Yamato is hiding something from Takeo.  Takeo finally notices it himself and tries to figure it out by reading a teen magazine.

Ai runs into him (in a real coincidence this time) and stops him from this embarrassing behavior by promising to help him find out what Yamato is keeping secret.  

It seems like Yamato is troubled every time Takeo says how "pure" she is or states that he won't lay a hand on her until she is an adult.  Maybe Yamato wouldn't mind at least holding hands or something...

"Rin-ne"

Mamiya Sakura is high school girl who sees spirits.  They bother her, but she doesn't let anyone know she sees them.  One day at school she meets her classmate Rokudou Rinne who is sometimes invisible to everyone else except her.  Turns out he's a shinigami that makes regretful spirits to go into the "Rinne no Wa" ("Ring of Reincarnation" that looks like a big red wheel in the sky) to be reborn.  Sakura can see spirits because she was led into the spirit realm as a young child by a shinigami who coincidentally is Rokudou's grandmother.  Due to circumstances, Rokudou has to do shinigami work while being extremely poor and relies on offerings and donations to survive.  It reminds me of "Noragami."  Sakura gets caught up in Rokudou's busy life.  It's a very funny show and has a very nice retro-shojo art style.  Only four episodes have aired, but I have a feeling it I will enjoy this show quite a bit this season.